"I also want to thank his personal staff of
nurses and aides, as well as the millions of fans from
around the world who have supported and loved my husband over the years."

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, who called Reeve a friend, led the tributes to the actor and campaigner for funding for stem cell research.

"He was an inspiration to all of us and gave hope to millions of Americans who are counting on the life-saving cures that science and research can provide," said Mr Kerry.

"He met every challenge with a courage and character that broke new ground in this struggle," he added.

Reeve had made a return to acting since his accident, appearing in a 1998 production of Rear Window, a modern version of the Alfred Hitchcock thriller about a man in a wheelchair who becomes convinced that a neighbour has been murdered.

The role won him a Screen Actors Guild award.

'Soul and courage'

Reeve was a virtual unknown before he shot to superstardom in the 1978 blockbuster Superman.

"He was a very real contender for a Superman hero figure, because of his courage and generosity of spirit. He was fun.

"I think he was great... what he set out to do since his accident... I admired him incredibly."

His publicist, Wesley Combs, told the BBC: "He inspired people in ways I think were surprising to some, but obvious to others, but he was a courageous individual who lived by the mantra 'nothing is impossible'

"He had a unique optimism, he had a true belief at looking at the best part of a situation. He did not look at is as being an obstacle, he looked at is as a challenge."

Tireless campaigner

It takes extraordinary individuals like Reeve to recognise that investment and effort is worthwhile in the long run to work for others

Professor Colin Blakemore

Reeve broke his neck in May 1995 when he was thrown from his horse during an equestrian competition in Culpeper, Virginia.

He became a tireless campaigner for research into spinal chord injuries and other disabilities and was seen regularly at the US Congress, lobbying for better funding.

Professor Colin Blakemore, chief executive of the Medical Research Council, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme said it took commitment like Reeve's to carry research forward.

"It takes extraordinary individuals like Reeve to recognise that investment and effort is worthwhile in the long run to work for others.

"He always said that he was working for himself and was convinced that there would be a cure, but I think probably deep in his mind he knew his efforts would
be far more likely to pay off for others than for him."

The actor set up the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation to fund research into paralysis.

"His memory will serve as inspiration for the work of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation and we will continue in his honour to be steadfast in our goal of finding treatments and cures for paralysis," said
Kathy Lewis, the foundation's president.

The family has asked that any donations should be made to the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, based in New Jersey.